*skimmed over the thread*
Maybe I am the only person, but I think both parties are equally responsible , thus no lawsuit should be incured. And furtermore, why would the resturant be sued, when it was the *bartender* themself that served? Sure its bartenders *job* but they ARE a human being and just like at any other job, you have people who break rules and dont follow instructions. Why not go after the bartender instead of the whole establishment.
Here are some points, I would just like to point out.
1) Bartenders have to pass a test ( the name is escaping me now) before they can legally serve alcohol to anyone. Now, I've not taken this test myself, but Im pretty sure it goes over the basics as to how much to NOT serve & what they must do as far as offering a cab and so on and so forth, no matter if they seem drunk or not. That bartender knows how much they have served the guest. Thus, I could see siding with the parents.
2) That being said, whats stopping the guest from getting other people to buy drinks for them. Since he is well known, I am sure it wouldn't of taken much for him to go up to some random "fan" or what have you and get them to buy him a drink, or even go as far as paying for them to buy him a drink. Thus, I could see siding against the parents.
3) The bartender/establishment CAN NOT make them get into a cab. Thats were free will steps in, and shockingly enough we still have that here in the U.S. Thus again, against the parents
4) They could of called the cops and told them a heavily intoxicated person was leaving the bar and getting in thier car, but as stated before, I think we all know how long it takes for the police to respond.
As far as the stalled car, Im sorry, but that just happens. We just bought a 04 Yukon XL, paid $30K for it, and we are having some problems with it, as far as it going in reverse. So it doesnt matter if the car is a 86 year model or brand spanking new, THINGS LIKE THAT HAPPEN and its def. not the person with the stalled car's fault. We drove a 1996 explorer up until this past April, and it stalled right in the middle of DALLAS traffic at RUSH HOUR, and NO ONE hit the car nor the tow truck when they arrived. He was obviously too intoxicated to be behind that wheel and it all boils down to the parents need to grieve & go on. Stop trying to turn this into a money hungry scheme.
Sorry for rambling, Im in need of sleep.